Conservation Education

2019 Conservation Poster Contest

The theme is “Life In The Soil: Dig Deeper”. Download the poster contest brochure here. The deadline for submittal to the HEPSCD is February 28, 2019 (postmarked or delivered).

Entries by students residing in or attending school (Gr 2-12) in Hudson, Essex, and Passaic Counties will be accepted at the Hudson Essex Passaic Soil Conservation District until close of business 4pm February 28, 2017. Posters are grouped for judging by grade level: Grades 2-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-9 & Grades 10-12. Winning entries from each District will be forwarded to Trenton to compete statewide for judging. State winners will go on to compete nationwide in the contest held by the National Association of Conservation Districts. The artwork of the State Grand Champion will be reproduced on folders which will be distributed for educational purposes.

The posters are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Conservation message (50 percent) (Poster uses correct theme)

• Visual effectiveness (30 percent)

• Originality (10 percent) and

• Universal appeal (10 percent)

• Also taken into consideration artwork is completed on poster is that of participant (unless noted on entry form)

Late entries will not be considered for judging.

Tracking New Jersey’s Bald Eagles

The Conserve Wildlife Foundation, in cooperation with the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife and the U.S. fish & Wildlife Service, is tracking individual bald eagles with the use of solar powered GPS units. Learn more here.

Jersey-Friendly Yards

Anyone can create a Jersey-Friendly Yard. Learn how to create a beautiful landscape that does no harm to the environment. Find a variety of resources to help home and property owners learn about environmentally sound landscaping techniques at http://www.jerseyyards.org/

Pollinator Garden

The North Haledon Green Team worked with the Hudson Essex Passaic Soil Conservation District and the NJ Association of Conservation Districts to obtain plants native to New Jersey which serve as food sources for pollinators.

The garden beautifies the area along the bicycle path and community garden, and will provide valuable habitat for beneficial insects. Up to 75% of our nation’s agriculture depends on butterflies, honeybees, and native bees including bumblebees for pollination in order to produce crops, yet development and pesticide use have reduced populations of these valuable insects drastically. The new Pollinator Garden will consist of flowering shrubs and perennials that are expected to attract hummingbirds, butterflies – including the Monarch, which is being considered for Endangered Species protection – and other pollinators. These pollinators will also visit the crops in the Community Garden, increasing yields.

The Green Team invites you to visit the garden in summer to enjoy the blooms and butterflies!

Envirothon

The Envirothon is a dynamic hands-on Environmental Education Program for high school students. Teams of students who wish to compete in the state-level Envirothon competition explore different natural resource related topics throughout the school year, including soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife ecology and current environmental issues.As they strengthen their background in natural resources, students practice working in teams, considering information and differing viewpoints to reach a decision through consensus and teamwork. One of the purposes of this program is to encourage students to become better-informed, active participants in natural resource management and problem solving.